adminAuthority (NPWMA) rangers who allegedly solicited for a bribe after catching him with a suspected girlfriend in parks area.
Police confirmed the incident.
Sources close to the matter said three weeks ago, the businessman was allegedly caught at the View Point area along the
Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road with his suspected lover in his vehicle.
The sources added that after being caught, the rangers allegedly solicited for a $500 bribe failure of which he would have faced arrest for entering a parks area without authority.
“Fearing the trouble he was going to go through if his wife found out that he had been caught with a girlfriend, the businessman paid the rangers $100 and promised to pay the rest of the money the following day.
“However, he failed to pay the money resulting in the rangers pestering him for the difference. The businessman then decided to go and make a report to Victoria Falls Police Station,” said the source.
He added after reporting the matter, the police set up a trap leading to the arrest of the two rangers.
The source also said at the police station, the businessman allegedly lied that he was alone and was looking for firewood when the rangers approached him.
“The businessman lied to the police that he was alone and that he was looking for firewood when the rangers approached him and asked for a $500 bribe.”
The source said the matter took a different twist when the rangers told the police that he was with a girlfriend in his car and was parked at View Point.
“As police looked for a witness, someone who saw or witnessed the rangers soliciting for a bribe, they asked the businessman to bring the “woman” he had in the car when the incident took place.
“Again the businessman lied saying that she had gone to Harare apparently because he did not want his wife to know that he had been caught with a girlfriend.”
The source said the businessman then tried to withdraw the matter at the Victoria Falls Police Station.
“He came to the police station and wanted to withdraw the matter but the police are refusing telling him that it is the duty of the court to decide on what course the matter should take since it is involving corruption because corruption is a serious allegation.”
The rangers told the police that they could bring the businessman’s girlfriend who is said to be a Victoria Falls resident.
“The police are just completing the docket before it is taken to court,” said the source close to the matter.
Online Reporter